Negative attitudes and the inability of emotion regulation can make individuals vulnerable against addiction. In this field, the main objective of this study is to investigate effectiveness of teaching positive psychology on dysfunctional attitudes and emotional self-regulation of withdrawing addicts.

This study is conducted using semi-empirical method in form of pretest posttest. Statistical population consists of all addicted people referred to Addiction Treatment Camps of Karaj by 2015. Among these camps, Vardavard Camp is selected randomly and among the referees, 30 people of those who were qualified to participate in this study and were satisfied for this action were selected and were placed in two experimental and control groups. Experimental group received positive psychology intervention and control group was in waiting list. Both groups fulfilled dysfunctional attitude scale and emotional self-regulation scale in baseline and after treatment. Obtained data have been analyzed using independent t-test and covariance in SPSS-22.

There is significant difference between two groups at the end of intervention in terms of dysfunctional attitudes and emotional self-regulation (P < 0.05).

Teaching positive psychology can lead to change in dysfunctional attitudes and emotional self-regulation of addicted people.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.